Finding the right counsellor can be a daunting task but it does not have to be. Finding the right counsellor can be life changing so it is worth investing a bit of time finding the right fit for you.
Here are some steps to help you find the right counsellor so you get the best results;
Look for a counsellor registered with a profession body. This ensures you are talking with someone who is correctly trained and adheres to an ethical framework - here are a few of the main professional associations in the UK;
BACP - British Association For Counselling And Psychotherapy - UK wide.. https://www.bacp.co.uk/
COSCA - Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland - Scotland only. https://www.cosca.org.uk/
UKCP - UK Council for Psychotherapy - UK wide. https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/
BPS - The British Psychological Society - UK wide. https://www.bps.org.uk/
View profiles on registers or directory sites - these often feature details and photos of the counsellors and their premises. Often they feature a postcode search, so you can find counsellors who are local to where you live, if you would prefer sessions to be in-person. Here are a few of the main directories;
Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb
Counselling Directory - https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/
Find a Therapist - https://www.findatherapist.co.uk/
Look for the specialism you need - not all counsellors will have experience working with some issues so it is worth checking - many registers or directories have filters which will bring up counsellors with the specialism you need, e.g. couples counselling or child counsellors. Make sure to check that the counsellor has a qualification in that specialist field, as working with special groups like under 18s requires more training than the basic qualification in counselling.
Call for a chat - counsellors usually offer an initial telephone consultation for free so it is worth a call to ask any questions and find out if you feel comfortable talking with them.
Shop around - if you don’t feel comfortable with the counsellor, for whatever reason, they may not be the right fit for you. Don’t be afraid to try different counsellors to find the best fit. If you don't feel totally comfortable with your counsellor you will not be able to talk about anything difficult and this could potential block you from getting the results you were looking for when you decided to seek out counselling in the first place. Remember that counsellors want to help others, so bring up any issues within the sessions, as counsellors are often able to refer you to other counsellors who may be a better fit for you.
For more information contact me at info@forcounselling.co.uk.
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